Autumn hot chocolate ideas: flavours and toppings to keep you warm and cosy

Put a new twist on a delicious cold-weather classic this autumn

As the weather changes and evenings draw in, autumn is the perfect time to get cosy inside with a warm jumper and some good books or TV. Of course, that snug scene wouldn’t be complete without a comforting cup of hot chocolate made with our at-home hot chocolate station.

Our revolutionary Velvetiser brings barista-grade chocolate indulgence right into your home. With such a wide variety of flavours and variations to choose from – plus a world of original ideas out there – the possibilities are endless.

Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up our favourite ways to put a spin on your hot chocolate this autumn. Get ready to be inspired.

Why hot chocolate is the perfect drink for autumn

Our favourite autumn days are crisp and bright. Picture the sun shining while a refreshing chill breeze rustles golden leaves. What better time to venture for a brisk walk, then warm up with a delicious hot chocolate?

Halloween might be just around the corner but if you’re looking for something a little less spooky and a little more luxurious, hot chocolate is the way to go.

Ideal for any time of day, a mug of quality hot chocolate is comforting and satisfying. Whether you enjoy a moment of self-care or share the experience with a loved one, hot chocolate is sure to warm the cockles of your heart.

Seasonal recipes from Hotel Chocolat

Our love for autumn has led us to embrace seasonal flavours and develop some iconic hot chocolate recipes to enjoy throughout the fall months.

Maple & Pecan

This irresistible, limited-edition blend of maple, pecan and silky milk chocolate makes for a decadent yet mellow taste experience. It’s perfect for warming up after a crisp autumn walk or as an evening treat.

The bold, familiar flavour of maple syrup combines with the natural caramel notes of real toasted pecans to create a subtle sweetness that adds a perfect warmth to cooler days.

Orange Supermilk

Our revolutionary Supermilk combines the best of milk and dark chocolate. It features all the creaminess you love but with less milk and sugar. We’ve used it to make this hot chocolate because its darkness perfectly balances the sweet and citrusy notes of the blood orange. Meanwhile, its splash of milk ensures that it’s still silky-smooth and creamy. Chocolate orange heaven in a mug.

Black Forest Gateau

An indulgent Black Forest Gateau, but drinkable! This hot chocolate blend combines notes of morello and black cherries, mellowed by a blend of smooth dark, and creamy white chocolate for a complex flavour profile just perfect for autumn. And, as with all our hot chocolate, real grated chocolate offers an authentic flavour profile that makes the most of cacao’s depth and nuances.

Mayan Chilli & Cinnamon

Paying homage to chocolate’s roots in Mayan culture, this hot chocolate recipe unites fiery habanero chilli with a dash of cinnamon. The result is warming, aromatic and undeniably vibrant.

Our signature 70% dark chocolate is elegant, decadent, and guaranteed to please those who don’t like their chocolate too sweet. You’ve never tasted chilli hot chocolate like this before.

Autumn hot chocolate ideas

If you fancy adding an extra dimension to your autumn hot chocolate, why not try the following suggestions?

Add a swirl of tahini

Tahini and chocolate is gathering pace as the flavour combination nobody expected, but really does make sense. Tahini is already a popular substitute for many nut butters, which are famous for coming alive when combined with chocolate. Just take a sip of our Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate for proof.

It’s no surprise, then, that adding a swirl of tahini to your hot chocolate makes for a taste that’s sweet, nutty, and entirely safe for nut allergy sufferers. Ideal for drinkers who don’t like their hot chocolate too sweet, and for devotees of hazelnut chocolate spread!

Create a classic pumpkin spice

It just wouldn’t be autumn without pumpkin spice, so why not get your fix while leaving sugary coffee shop hot chocolates in the past? There are plenty of recipes available to get your pumpkin spice just how you like it, but the general idea is to make your own pumpkin puree and add it to your hot chocolate with spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger.

A dash of Salted Caramel Velvetised Chocolate Cream

If you haven’t discovered our Velvetised Chocolate Cream yet, you are in for a treat. These delightful tipples blend our signature chocolate with punchy vodka. It’s all tempered by just the right amount of delicately sweet cream.

Add a generous dash of our Salted Caramel variety – or whichever most piques your interest – to your hot chocolate for the perfect cosy nightcap on a chilly autumn evening.

Autumnal hot chocolate toppings

Add the finishing touch with some irresistible toppings that evoke all the joy of autumn.

Whipped cream with spices

Hot chocolate topped with whipped cream is one of the best things about autumn, but there’s no reason not to make it even more special. Transform the classic whipped cream by adding flavoursome autumnal spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg or chai.

For a simple approach, you can use shop-bought whipped cream and then sprinkle a dash of each spice on top. However, we prefer to make our own. Simply whip up some double cream and sugar using a stand or hand mixer and add the spices in to get more flavour and give the cream a beautiful autumnal colour.

Crumbled gingerbread biscuit

Sometimes keeping it simple has the biggest impact, and if autumn flavours are your thing, you will definitely have deliciously seasonal gingerbread biscuits to hand.

Crumble one into your hot chocolate of choice for a taste and texture sensation.

Serve with a Pumpkin Pie Selector

Our perfectly bite-sized selectors make for an indulgent treat, and one served with a hot chocolate makes it an extra special experience. Our Pumpkin Pie Selector features a smooth pumpkin ganache spiced with the autumnal flavours you love – think nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

The velvety filling contrasts beautifully with the crushed cornflakes we’ve added to recreate the delicious crunch of a freshly-baked pie crust, and the final flourish of encasing the whole thing in cocoa butter white chocolate makes for a dreamy melt-in-the-mouth creaminess.

Get cosy this autumn with Hotel Chocolat

There’s only one way to enjoy authentic, indulgent hot chocolate at home, and that’s with our famous hot chocolate recipes. Real chocolate flakes and natural ingredients ensure you get a silky-smooth and perfectly chocolatey hot drink every time.

We hope you love our autumn hot chocolate suggestions. Don’t forget to full range of hot & iced drinking chocolate flavours to discover our classic hot chocolates, original flavour combinations and some limited-edition variations you won’t want to miss.